Door mats

So as I was chatting with an old friend of mine today, the topic of doormats was brought up. You think that this is unusual b/c not many people talk frequently about doormats, b/c they're very useful, but not very interesting. Quite the contrary, at least with the doormats we were speaking of. 
So let me bring you up to speed on a few things. There are people in this world that would do anything for others, and I mean anything. They'd go get you a bandaid if you skinned your knee then sit there with you until you dried your tears and give you an extra kiss to make the pain go away; they'd go get you an ice cream cone if you needed cheering up and watch a funny movie with you; they'd hold your hair back if you were puking from drinking too much when they told you too many times that night to slow down and they'd get you in your jammies and check on you multiple times through the night; those same people would make you dinner and surprise you with their thoughtfulness just for now reason to make you feel special; they'd buy you little presents or leave you little surprises to find and make you smile. Now these are the same people that once they've done these things, get honed in on and USED. They're not only the one you go to with your concerns or when you need help, they're the ones that you ask to do things you could do yourself, or things you just don't want to. And yes, they do it with out hesitation. Why you ask yourself? B/c they live to help others. They are needed. They thrive on others' needs. Some one tells them to jump and they respond with "how high?" as they squat down to take their stance. They are fully taken advantage of. Used. Neglected. Thrown away like trash and then picked back up when someone reliable is needed around. They're not appreciated as the priceless individuals that they are, but overlooked as if they were invisible and worthless. 
I have watched one of my friends be a doormat over and over in her life. As much as I would love to protect her and keep her from the pain that is ultimately on it's way, I can not. And there are times when I question her reasoning for doing these things b/c I can only see pain as a result, but I can't say too much, b/c I realize that I'm laying on the ground right there by here side. 
Each time after being hurt really bad, I make these goals of changing and becoming more aware of my circumstances. But alas, every time, I end up in the same spot, caring and loving and doing as if my life depended on it.... B/c it does and I doubt it'll ever change.